This guide is intended for people currently in Australia who do not know how to make a call to New Zealand. This is a fairly straightforward process, although it can be expensive depending on the phone plan you subscribe to. If the person you need to call in New Zealand has not given you the area code for the city where they live, you can find it by searching for their address.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Calling New Zealand from Australia
Step 1. If the number starts with 001164, dial it directly
If the number you are trying to call starts with "001164", you have nothing else to add to make the call from Australia, so you can dial it exactly as it appears.
- 0011 is the exit code for Australia. To make any international call from Australia, you need to start dialing the number with these digits.
- 64 is the international prefix for New Zealand. To call in New Zealand, anyone calling from another country must dial this number after the exit code.
Step 2. If the number is eight or more digits, try dialing 001164 followed by the full number
The phone number you were given probably already includes the area code, especially if the holder knows you're not a local. So, note that if the number contains eight or more digits, it probably already includes the area code. Dial 001164 followed by the person's number.
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The only exception is for certain New Zealand mobile numbers, which can contain up to nine digits, so the area code is likely to be included. If the call does not go through, hang up and try again with 001164 followed by
Step 2. and the number. 2 is the prefix for all mobile phones in New Zealand.
Step 3. If the number is only seven digits long, search for the area code
If you are calling a mobile phone, the area code is 2. If not, search for the city or region of the person or organization you are trying to reach by phone and use the corresponding area code:
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Auckland:
Step 9.
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Wellington:
Step 4.
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Christchurch:
Step 3.
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Hastings, Manawatu, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Wanganui:
Step 6.
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Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson, Queenstown, The South Island, Timaru:
Step 3.
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Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, Rotorua, Tauranga:
Step 7.
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Whangarei:
Step 9.
Step 4. Dial 001164, then the area code, then the number
Once you have found the correct area code, dial the exit code (0011), the international prefix of New Zealand (64), the area code for the area you intend to contact in New Zealand, then the number you are trying to call.
Part 2 of 2: Fixing Any Problems
Step 1. Consider the time difference
The time zone of New Zealand is GMT +12, so it has a difference of two to four more than Australia. Therefore, if you call late in the evening, the person may be asleep. To contact an institution or business in New Zealand by phone before it closes, you may need to call in the morning or early afternoon.
- New Zealand has two hours more difference than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane (which are included in the Australian Eastern Standard Time, AEST), while it has three hours more difference than Adelaide (which is part of the Australian Central Standard Time, ACST) and four more than Perth (which falls under the Australian Western Standard Time, AWST).
- New Zealand observes daylight saving time, unlike some parts of Australia. If you are in Queensland, Northern Territory or Australian Capital Territory, and you call between October and April, add one hour to find out the exact time in New Zealand.
Step 2. Check if the number you want to call is free or not
Since callers typically pay when they call a toll-free number from a different country, some companies block international calls to avoid charging their customers unexpected amounts. In New Zealand, toll-free numbers typically begin with 0508 or 0800.
Find a regular, non-toll-free number of the organization you need to contact by searching the Internet or by sending an email
Step 3. Make sure your phone plan allows you to make international calls
Some phone plans block international calls. Try calling another international number: if the call does not go through, contact the telephone company and ask them to change plans.
Keep in mind that international calls are often much more expensive than local or national ones. If you frequently call abroad, ask for a plan with a reduced international rate
Advice
- When calling a foreign number, it may be more convenient to use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, such as Skype.
- If you often use your mobile phone abroad, there are special SIM cards with reduced rates for calling foreign numbers.
Warnings
- Consult your carrier to see if any additional charges may apply when you call New Zealand.
- At the end of the conversation, check that the communication has ended correctly, to avoid paying for the time not spent talking.
